Checking date: 26/04/2024


Course: 2024/2025

Topics in Comparative Politics
(14096)
Dual Bachelor in Law and Political Science (Plan: 413 - Estudio: 232)


Coordinating teacher: LAVEZZOLO PEREZ, SEBASTIAN

Department assigned to the subject: Social Sciences Department

Type: Compulsory
ECTS Credits: 6.0 ECTS

Course:
Semester:




Requirements (Subjects that are assumed to be known)
Comparative Politics I
Objectives
Skills related to the development of analytical and critical thinking. Communication skills and writing skills in carrying out work, case studies and exams. Public speaking and presentation skills. Interpersonal skills such as the ability to work in teams or use of the technique of role play. Theoretical and practical knowledge concerning different dimensions of today's political systems. Ability to link theoretical debates in comparative politics with an analysis of one, several or many cases -whether these political systems or parts thereof-.
Skills and learning outcomes
Description of contents: programme
1. Introduction: theories and facts in comparative politics. 2. Comparing and contrasting forms of government and state in Western Europe. 3. Presidentialism in the Americas. 4. Post-communism and institutional design. 5. Dependence, economic development and democracy. 6. Social revolution, class struggle, energy and neo-authoritarianisms. 7. Ethnic conflict. 8. Political institutions and economic performance. 9. Democracy and socioeconomic inequalities. 10. The Arab world. 11. China and liberal democracy.
Learning activities and methodology
Lectures given by the teacher and activities done by students who will test the knowledge acquired and develop their skills. The training activities aim to involve students in the learning process. To this end, the teacher will provide basic knowledge and tools needed to strengthen their analytical ability and encourage their critical spirit. In this regard, the reading of selected materials and essays written by students will be fundamental. Likewise, the professor will encourage discussions on current topics, presentations and role play so that students expand their communication and interpersonal skills. This will be complemented by screenings of documentaries / films relating to any matter relevant to the subject. This latter is intended to capture students' interest on issues that sometimes may seem too abstract, without a clear empirical referent. 6 ECTS credits, 150 hours approximately. Lectures and other activities in class: 42 hours Study of the subject by the student: 50 hours Preparation of presentations and essays by students: 48 hours Make-up classes, office hours, hand-in of papers, etc.: 8 hours Exam: 2 hours
Assessment System
  • % end-of-term-examination 50
  • % of continuous assessment (assigments, laboratory, practicals...) 50

Calendar of Continuous assessment


Extraordinary call: regulations
Basic Bibliography
  • Acemoglu, D., Johnson, S. and Robinson, J.A. The colonial origins of comparative development: An empirical investigation. American Economic Review, 91(5), pp.1369-1401. 2001
  • Ansell, B. W., and Samuels, D. J.. Inequality and democratization. Cambridge University Press. 2014
  • Bingham J. Powell Jr., G., R.J. Dalton y K. Strom. Comparative Politics Today: A World View, 10ª ed.. Longman. 2011
  • Boix, C. y S.C. Stokes (eds.),. The Oxford Handbook of Comparative Politics. Oxford University Press. 2007
  • Caramani, Daniele (ed.). Comparative Politics, 3ª ed.. Oxford University Press. 2014
  • Clark, William Roberts, Matt Golder, and Sona Nadenichek Golder. Principles of comparative politics.. CQ Press. 2017
  • Colomer, J.M. (ed.),. Comparative European Politics, 3ª ed.. Routledge. 2008
  • Domínguez, J. y M. Shifter,. Constructing Democratic Governance in Latin America, 4ª ed.. The Johns Hopkins University Press.. 2013
  • Homola, J., Pereira, M.M. and Tavits, M.. Legacies of the Third Reich: Concentration Camps and Out-Group Intolerance. American Political Science Review. 2020
  • Ignacio Lago. La lógica de la explicación en las ciencias sociales. Alianza. 2008
  • Kesselman, M.. Readings in Comparative Politics. Cengage Learning. 2009
  • Zhang, Y.. Pacific Asia: The Politics of Development. Routledge. 2003
Additional Bibliography
  • Alcántara, M.. Sistemas políticos de América Latina, 3ª ed.. Tecnos. 2008..
  • Goodin, R.E. y H-D. Klingemann (eds.). Nuevo Manual de Ciencia Política, 2 vols.. Istmo. 2001..
  • Journal of Democracy. Sección "Twenty years of postcommunism". 21 (1). . 2010..
  • Landman, T. (ed.). The Sage handbook of comparative politics. Sage. 2009..
  • Lijphart, A.. Modelos de democracia. Ariel. 2000..
  • Martín Muñoz, G.. El Estado árabe. Bellaterra. 1999..
  • Smith, P.. Democracia en América Latina. Marcial Pons. 2009..
  • Taibo, C.. Las transiciones en la Europa Central y Oriental: ¿Copias en papel carbón?. Catarata. 1998..
  • Waldmann, P.. Radicalismo étnico. Análisis comparado de las causas y efectos en conflictos étnicos violentos.. Akal. 1997..
  • Waldmann, P. . Radicalismo étnico. Análisis comparado de las causas y efectos en conflictos étnicos violentos.. Akal. 1997..
  • Xiaobo, L.. "Can it be that the chinese people deserve only 'party-led democracy" y "Changing the regime by changing society". Journal of Democracy 22(1): 154-166.. 2011..

The course syllabus may change due academic events or other reasons.